Economy

A report has revealed that the over-50s are being hit hardest by the current financial crisis and could face a lifetime of financial insecurity. According to the report, economic inactivity rates have risen a third amongst the over 50s since 2019, and people aged 50-54 face double the financial vuln

Consumer confidence has fallen for the forth consecutive quarter, reveals Deloitte. The rising cost of living has forced UK consumer confidence to a record low of -19% in Q2 2022, according to Deloitte’s latest Consumer Tracker, as rising inflation and subsequent price increases tighten the sq

The rate of credit card borrowing has reached 12.5%, the highest annual growth rate since 2005.  Figures in the Bank of England's Money and Credit June 2022 report show that individuals borrowed an additional £1.8 billion in consumer credit in June, on net, following £0.9 billi

Fast-growth businesses in Scotland attracted over half a billion pounds of venture capital (VC) investment in the first half of 2022, according to the latest figures from KPMG UK. Despite investors becoming more cautious globally, there were 45 investments completed in Q2 2022, raising over &po

Business confidence in Scotland fell 11 points during July to 16%, according to Bank of Scotland's latest Business Barometer survey. Companies in Scotland reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down 17 points at 32%. When taken alongside their optimism in the econo

With inflation having reached 9.4% in June, new insights have found that almost one in five (18%) Scottish adults report their total household wealth has decreased over the past year. St. James’s Place's (SJP) financial health research report reveals the devastating impact recent months have h

Deloitte has warned of high expectations of a recession occurring within the next year as surveyed industry leaders brace for economic downturn. Amid rising inflation and intensifying economic headwinds, finance leaders assign a 63% probability to experiencing a recession within the next year, accor

Scottish business confidence has fallen to a record low in June, but remains stronger than Europe, according to the latest Accenture / S&P Global UK Business Outlook. Whilst the findings come amid global economic uncertainty, a net balance of +17% more private sector firms forecast their ac

Small firms are encountering widespread problems in their dealings with the insurance market, amid rising premium costs, a new report has found. FSB’s new publication looks into the price of insurance and whether the products on offer are suitable for small business customers.

RSM has warned of the effects growing supply chain issues are having on middle market businesses. Well over a third (39%) of middle market businesses* have experienced supply chain issues within the past 12 months, and this likely represents the tip of the iceberg as disruption looks set to continue

NatWest has decided to launch additional support for customers, colleagues and communities to assist with the rising cost of living.

As the quarterly confidence index falls to level not seen outside pandemic-induced restrictions, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has urged leadership candidates to show pro-enterprise credentials. Surging operating costs, a high tax burden and struggles to fill vacancies are threatening the

Rapid reform is required as more than three quarters of firms are struggling to recruit new staff, says the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). New data released by the BCC show that the construction, manufacturing and hospitality sectors are facing the most severe shortages and firms’ re

A study has revealed that millions of adults have no savings to fall back on as they have already been used up to pay for essential items rising in price. The study by Scottish Friendly and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) found that one in six (16%) adults have used all their s

Over one million people are considering a reduction to their pension contributions to deal with the cost of living crisis.